I am so excited about tomorrow!  Why?  Well it's Missions Sunday at Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.  We're having missionaries from near and far (Chicago through India) speaking about how God is using them in their ministries.  Isn't that something to look forward to?  Then after the service the fellowship continues with a lunch.  What's for lunch?  Well, it's just good old-fashioned, simple homecooking:  fried chicken, pot roast. mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, and a variety of salads and desserts.  Join us and I promise you will not leave hungry.  You know, as good and fun as I know the lunch is going to be, it will not compare to the Wedding Feast that we have to look forward to! Please come join us tomorrow, Sunday, October 17, 2009 for our Missions Sun... 10/17/2009

The change of seasons is in the air in Valparaiso, Indiana!  Can you see feel it?  Can you see it?  I can feel it when I walk outside in the morning and a get a blast of cool, crisp, damp air.  I see it in the leaves changing colors and falling off their branches.  I feel it when I get up and shiver until I get my robe on.  I see when I look out at my yard and realize that I should really rake some leaves and clean up my flowerbeds.  Maybe I'll do that tomorrow......yes, tomorrow.  I also see it doing ordinary, everyday things such as grocery shopping.  Berries were plentiful and so good just a few weeks ago.  Now they are not so looking so good.  What has replaced them?  Well, gourds, of course.  All shapes, sizes, and colors - fall colors.  Oh, and apples are at their best too.  Yes, ... 10/16/2009

Do you remember that show from years past "Kids Say the Darndest Things".  First, it was hosted by Art Linkletter and a few years later by Bill Cosby.  Kids have such a unique perspective on life.  As adults, we do not give kids enough credit for seeing things even more clearly than we do at times.  At the Service Memorial in Valparaiso, Indiana, there are some of those kid's perspectives on friendship, hope, and charity.  These kids understand friendship, hope, and charity.  Have a look for yourself.   For those of you who are too young to have experienced "Kids Say the Darndest Things," click on this link for a You Tube clip of the show.  I guarantee it will make you laugh. 10/16/2009

The real estate market in Valparaiso, Indiana, specifically Center Township of Porter County has been impacted by our local economic condition, unemployment rates, mortgage rates, the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the number of bank-owned/foreclosed properties that have entered the market. The following is a chart that will illustrate the true activity of home sales within Valparaiso – Center Township*: Valparaiso, Indiana – Center Township SOLD Homes 1st 3 Qtrs 1st 3 Qtrs 2008 2009 Homes under $100,000 34 33 $100,000-$199,999 215 183 $200,000-$299,999 101 92 $300,000-$399,999 39 23 $400,000-$499,999 2 15** $500,000-$599,999 3 3 $600,000-$+ 4 _1_ TOTAL 398 350 The AVG Days on Market in 2008* was 91 days. The AVG Days on Market in 2009* was 125 days. **The activity reflected in the... 10/12/2009

Indiana State Fair - I missed it and I didn't even know it until today!  How is that possible?  I learn so much from posts on ActiveRain.  Just this morning I found out that the North Carolina State Fair is coming up in a couple of weeks.  That got me reminiscing about the Texas State Fair that takes place each October in Dallas.  I attended the Texas State Fair many, many times and always looked forward to the fun there and Big Tex greeting me at the entrance.  Then there's the Ohio State Fair that I think took place during the summer when we lived in Dayton years ago.  Jess and I had lots of fun there also.  As I'm thinking about the carnival atmosphere, smell of funnel cakes, and cotton candy, I realize that I have no clue about the Indiana State Fair.  I cannot believe that I have l... 10/12/2009

This weekend was homecoming for Valparaiso University which meant a busy time for hotels and restaurants trying to accommodate the alumni. As indicated by their sold-out status for the weekend, Fairfield Inn & Suites in Valparaiso, Indiana is a favorite place of many to stay while visiting Valparaiso, Indiana.  Recently, I was treated to a free night stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites and was able to experience for myself the comfort of the Fairfield Inn & Suites.  Besides the property being immaculately maintained, the staff is also professional, well-trained, helpful, and friendly.  On the day I arrived, they were expecting a busload of seniors on a tour headed to Niagara Falls.  With 50 or so people arriving at the same time, lots of luggage, tired, and expecting snacks, you would ha... 10/11/2009

After what seemed like 40 days and 40 nights of chilly, rainy weather, it's an absolutely beautiful day in Valparaiso, Indiana.  To top things off, it's Saturday!  I woke up to 32 degrees and frost on the car windows.  Now here it is midday and it's up to almost 50 and a clear blue, sunny sky.  My three cats are sleeping in front of the warm sunshine coming in through the windows.  It's a day for being outdoors.  I'm sure the Michigan City Outlet Mall must be having some good sales on all those things we need.  Maybe I can convince my husband that we should go there to shop for.......him.  Yes, I'm quite sure that I can think of something he desperately needs today.  So I'm off to do my duty of shopping for my husband and with my husband, on a beautiful day, in the sunshine, maybe go ou... 10/10/2009

Are ya ready for some football ?   Local, that is.  I t's gonna be a cool fall day tomorrow so bundle up and come out and see the Valparaiso University Crusaders play San Diego at Brown Field @ 1:00pm kickoff time!   Go VU !   Hopefully the Victory Bell will ring in a win for Valpo's bold wearing GOLD team :)   See you at the game ( twittering updates perhaps :)                       10/09/2009

Every city in the United States seems to have that favorite hometown restaurant.  You know, the one that all the locals recommend.  In Valparaiso, Indiana that favorite hometown restaurant would be Strongbow Inn.  When we first moved to Valparaiso, Indiana four years ago, it seemed that everyone told us we had to go eat the turkey dinner at Strongbow Inn.  It seemed a little strange, at first, that a restaurant would be known for their turkey dinners.  Soon we realized why that was. Back in the early 1930s, the land that Strongbow Inn is now on was then called the Finney Farm.  Dr. Walter Thrun, his family, and Dr. Harry Fuller got together and raised their first crop of 1500 turkeys.  In honor of an Indian chief who lived on the land in the early 1800s, they decided to change the name ... 10/07/2009

What could be more important to a ball player than the baseball bat?  Choice of bats vary between ball players according to what feels right to them.  Hoosier Bat Company located in Valparaiso, Indiana, is quickly becoming the bat of choice for teams such as the White Sox, Mariners, and Brewers.  Created by a former New York Yankees scout, Hoosier Bats are custom-made to fit the player's needs.  Tours of the Hoosier Bat Company are available by appointment.  For even more information on their patented 3-piece wood bat, click on this link. Hoosier Bat Company, just another treasure in Valparaiso, Indiana at 4511 E. Evans Ave.  10/07/2009

It's starting to feel like fall in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Before long, snow will be on the ground.  Do you know what that means?  It must mean that with snow on the ground, it's your chance to try cross country skiing in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Where in Valparaiso, Indiana would cross-country skiing take place?  Well, none other than Sunset Hill Farm County Park located Highway 6 and Meridian Road.  With 235 acres, there are plenty of easy-to-moderate continuous marked trails throughout the park.  At one time, Sunset Hill Farm County Park was a working dairy farm.  By 1970, 400 gallons a day were being produced.  After the owner's death in 1978, the farm was left to Purdue and then ownership was relinquished to Porter County.  The farm now offers outdoor entertainment, picnic areas, hiking... 10/07/2009

Don't miss out on two great shows under one roof:  the Porter County Fall Home Show and the Midwest Bargain Bazaar in Valparaiso, Indiana.  If you are in the market for a new home, just moved into a new home, or just need to redecorate, you should drop by.  See the latest in home improvement products and services, as well as a wide variety of useful, decorative, and attractive products.  The Porter County Fall Home Show takes place on October 17th and 18th from 10 - 6 on Saturday and 10 - 5 on Sunday at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Whether you are looking for kitchen or bathroom improvements, landscaping, pond displays, patio, decks, or appliances there is a very good chance of getting ideas at the Porter County Fall Home Show in Valparaiso, Indiana.     10/05/2009

Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana has many interesting and fun shops to explore.  One with unique spices, cookware, and gifts imported from Spain is Don Quijote Spanish Imports located at 121 Lincolnway, next door to Don Quijote Restaurant.  Even with separate entrances to the restaurant and gift shop, the enticing smell of good food cooking comes flowing past the entrance.  If you are looking for some unusual spices such as saffron for that special recipe, this is one place to get it.  My suggestion would be to stop and visit both Don Quijote Restaurant and Don Quijote Spanish Imports. 10/04/2009

At 5:00 this morning, my faithful atomic clock with an indoor and outdoor thermometer told me it was 37 degrees outside in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Since it was about 45 degrees when I went to bed, that's a believable number.  But we must have had a blizzard or a very cold front go through in the last 30 minutes.  I just glanced at the outdoor thermometer again and now it's reading minus 1 degree!  I suddenly have an urge for some hot cocoa.  You'd better bundle those kids up for school.  Yes, it is still reading Fahrenheit not Centigrade degrees.  I checked. Minus 1 degree!  A temperature drop of 38 degrees in 30 minutes!  How is that possible?  Oh, maybe my faithful atomic clock with thermometers has decided to not work today.  You just can't get good help these days!  09/30/2009

Have you ever heard an Angel sing? I did, last night!  Keri Burman ( a Valpo resident )  has a full time Christian Drama ministry-> Yadah Praise Productions and travels cross country performing at churches re-inacting Women of The Bible in song and story! Last night our Church's Womens Fellowship group experienced her performance of the story of Queen Esther. Words do not even do justice to describe what one feels watching this talented young lady sing and act the story. If your church is looking for a wonderful performer for a future fellowship event. please consider the spirit filled presentations that Ms. Burman has to offer. She does not charge (only free-will offerings are accepted at the end of her program).                              She certainly has a God gifted calling to s... 09/30/2009

I found a gem while exploring Valparaiso, Indiana last week tucked away past the Butterfly Meadow located on Campbell off of Bullseye Lake Road.  If you drive past the playground in the parking lot you will come to Valparaiso's Service Memorial dedicated to servicemen, firemen, and policemen who have lost their lives in the line of duty - The Forgotten Heroes.  It's a beautiful and peaceful place to visit and watch the flow of water in the fountain.  Looking through the names on the memorials I realized that even though I do not recognize any of their names, my life is better because of their service to this community and this country.  I am thankful to them for their service.  Have you thanked fire, police, or military personnel recently for laying their lives on the line each and ever... 09/30/2009

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If a good steak is what you are looking for in Valparaiso, Indiana, then Kelsey's Steak House is the place to go.  As you can read on their link, Kelsey's has been making great steak in Indiana since 1987.  Located at 2300 Morthland Drive off of I30, all you have to look for is Howie out in front and you can't miss it.  Here's Howie: About 5 years ago, Kelsey's was making plans on moving to their present location since they were outgrowing the restaurant.  This was about the time we were planning our move to Valparaiso, Indiana.  Looking online at the Valparaiso newspaper, one of the front page stories was whether or not the city was going to allow Howie to move along with the restaurant.  As you can see, Howie is quite large.  Fortunately, Howie was eventually allowed to move to his ne... 09/29/2009

I know this is going to be hard for many of you to believe and sit down now if you have to but.........Not Everyone Has Heard of Valparaiso, Indiana!  See I told you it was going to be hard for you to believe.  Even worse, I had no idea that Valparaiso, Indiana even existed until my husband was hired to do some contract flying for a company whose airplanes were based in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Yes, I know, I must have lived a sheltered life.  So where in the world is Valparaiso, Indiana? According to Wikipedia, Valparaiso, Indiana is the southeasternmost (is that even really a word?) suburb of Chicago metropolitan area.  It actually took me forever to figure out the correct way to pronounce it so let's just call it Valpo.  Valpo is the 2nd largest city in Porter County and also the county... 09/29/2009

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING @ F.C TUCKER 1ST TEAM REAL ESTATE IN NW INDIANA.  VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR PERIODIC UPDATES ABOUT NEW AGENTS on board, EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, Real Estate Listings, Just SOLD properties, AND MORE! If you are looking for experienced REALTORS to represent you when buying or selling a home in Lake, Porter or La Porte County, give one of our professional agents a call. xxF.C.Tucker 1st Team Team Real Estate serving NW Indiana | Promote Your Page Tooxx   09/28/2009